Minor identified in Mandaue school wall vandalism

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — The Mandaue City Government has identified the individual allegedly involved in vandalizing a wall at Mandaue City Central School following a public appeal for information.

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano on Thursday, June 18, said the individual is a 16-year-old boy. He said personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Mandaue City had already gone to the minor’s residence.

The mayor added that personnel from the City Social Welfare Services (CSWS) visited the minor and his parents on Thursday morning. He said the minor and his parents were later invited to City Hall for further intervention and discussions with local officials.

READ: Mandaue to impose fines to repeat vandalism and curfew offenders

Ouano also confirmed that he will personally give the P5,000 reward he earlier offered to the individual who provided the tip that led to the minor’s identification. He said the reward system helps encourage the public to report similar incidents and assist authorities in identifying offenders.

However, the mayor noted that under existing laws, penalties for minors are limited.

Ouano said the city is also looking at measures to prevent similar incidents, including a proposal from Councilor Jennifer Del Mar to hold parents accountable when their children commit acts of vandalism.

“Maghuna-huna ta og laing mga pamaagi nga dili na nila usbon. Of course, naa man tay intervention sad,” said Ouano.

(We need to think of other ways to ensure they do not do it again. Of course, we also have intervention programs in place.)

He also explained the city’s decision to temporarily suspend some wall repainting activities, saying repeated vandalism makes repainting a waste of resources.

READ: Mandaue police to monitor spray paint purchases to address vandalism

Ouano appealed to the public to continue reporting similar incidents, stressing that community cooperation was key to identifying the suspect.

He said the case has been referred to social workers for intervention and guidance, while cleanup and repainting activities along major roads are being prepared.

The identification came after CCTV footage from the Mandaue City Command Center showed a person vandalizing a section of the concrete wall of Mandaue City Central School at around 3:50 a.m. on June 10 near the corner of C. Ouano Avenue and D.M. Cortes Street.

The video was posted by the city government on June 17, which also offered a P5,000 reward from Ouano’s personal funds for information leading to the suspect’s identification.

Vandalism remains a recurring concern in the city despite ongoing beautification and cleanup efforts.

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